THE EXPULSION OF THE GHALZAIS 41

of short duration. As for the English and Dutch, a most unfortunate
situation developed. Although the representatives of the two Companies
were often on excellent terms with one another, there were times when
serious disputes occurred and when the one Company intrigued against
the other. On this occasion, according to the English records, the Dutch,
wishing to discredit their competitors, alleged to Nadir that the English
had been actively assisting the Afghans ; the English responded with
similar accusations. Nadir was quick to turn this incident to his own
advantage. Affecting to believe that the Dutch allegations were true,
he sent muhassils (tax collectors) to the English factory to demand payment
of 3,000 tomans (£7,000), of which 1,000 tomans were to be paid at once.
Cockell and Geekie refused to pay anything, and were then informed
that they would be beaten. Eventually, Nadir agreed to accept 300
tomans ; when his muhassils collected the money, they seized all the
Company's horses and removed them as well.1 Indignant at this high-
handed treatment, Cockell and Geekie contemplated leaving Isfahan ;
they intended to remonstrate with Nadir personally, but he left for Shiraz
before they could do so. After his departure they complained to the Shah
of their treatment ; he received them in private audience and assured
them that

" he would not only return the sum forc'd from them but likewise make them
reparation for the losses the Honble. Co. has sustained during the Ophgoon (Afghan)
Rebellion/'

After this audience, Cockell and Geekie decided to stay in Isfahan until
they could ascertain whether or not " the Hopes and Promises given them
were only to amuse them. . . ."2

The Shah, who was very friendly to Cockell and Geekie, in company
with his ministers paid a visit to the Company's factory, where they
were entertained with a display of fireworks :

". . . among which was the Figure of Hoshroff (Ashraf) contrived to bum after
the Europe Manner being a thing entirely new to the Persians and apropos; they
were exceedingly delighted with it as indeed with their treatment in general/13

Tahmasp was described, on this occasion, as :

" a very young man who delights much in visiting and going to all Places he has
not seen before who during his minority was shut up in the State Prison in his
Father's Palace. . . ."

1 Gombroon Diary, i4th/25tli February, 1730,
s Ibid., 7th/i8th March, 1730.

3 Letter from Gombroon to London, 2nd/i3th April, 1731, in Vol. XV of Persia and the Persian
Gulf Records.